Apparatus for manufacturing pottery ware



May 22,1945. w. J. MILLER 2,376,800

V APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING POTTERYWARE Filed Jan. 13, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet l IN VENTOR.

May 22, 1945. w. J'. MILLEQR V 2,376,800

' APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PQTTERYWARE Filed Jan. 1:5, 1944' I10 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR.

May 22, 1945.

W. J. MILLER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING POTTERYWARE Filed Jan. 15, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Wz-Zlzizm J MIKEY.

W. J. MILLER 2376,800

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING POTTERYWARE l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 May 22, 1945.

. Filed Jan. 13, 1944 IN VEN TOR.

William J Mil/e12 May 22, 19450 w.- .1. MILLER 2,376,800

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING POTTERYWARE Filed Jan. 15, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 fiy m.

I N V EN TOR. William J. [11769] y 1945- w. .1. MILLER I APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING POTTERYWARE Filed Jan. 15, 1944 1o Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR'. William J/fl/[QR BY 3 j 2 j I V'ATTORAIEY'.

9 1945- W. .1. MILLER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING POTTERYWARE Filed"Jan. 13, 1944 I 'L aqm flyz i INVENTOR. Wi/[iam M'Y/en Patented May 22, 1945 APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING POTTERY WARE William J. Miller, Swissvale, Pm, asslgnor to Miller Pottery Engineering Company, Swissvale, Pa a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 13, 1944, Serial No. 518,079

36 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for. manufacturing pottery ware. It has to do with automatic machinery for feeding, pressing and Jiggering clay on plaster molds in making dinnerware articles'and the like and relatesparticularly to apparatus for diversifying the production of these articles when being made automatically.

In certain types of automatic dinnerware forming machinery having an intermittently rotating mold table, for instance that disclosed in the patent to W. H. Emerson, 2,321,471, the molds are carriedflin the mold fork thereof in single file to the feeding station, where .discrlikeblanks of clay are cut oil from a column of clay and fed thereto and then to a pressing and a jiggering station where the blanks are spread over the ware forming surface and profiled respectively. ,Only

1 articles having the same form-are made in succession in the single line of production which may contain several thousand molds, because there is only one'die and one profile, serving the line.

To change the production to some other form of ware requires exchanging the die, profile tool and all of the molds besides making certain adjustments to feeding, preforming, jiggering apparatusfas well as other operating parts of the machinery. Where the amount and kind of ware to be made on the machinery during the days operation is even moderately diversified, the production time lost making changeovers may result in' serious depreciation in the savings in the cost of manufacture; of the ware. In the majority of commercial' potteries there is considerable 'variation daily, in the amount and kind of ware made becauseof differences in the consist of an ordinary dinnerware set and differences in the form of the consist as between dinnerware sets it being characteristic of the industry to provide a large variety of shapes from which to select.

It among the objects of this invention to provide for making diverse ware shapes during sustained operation of automatic ware forming machinery of the class described to" thereby eliminateithe need for frequent stops to change from provide automatic ware forming machinery adaptable for large mass production potteries turning out large quantities of standardized shapes as well as smaller potteries having a more diversified production and smaller quantities of each shape to produce.

Other more specific objects are:

To make a diversified production with the same speed and efficiency as an identical production;

To reduce initial mold equipment costs and storage requirements and the cost of exchanging molds.

To periodically cut off and feed to diverse molds therebelow disc-like blanks or charges of clay from intermittently advanced columns of clay of the same or different composition, the diameter and thickness of the charges to be selectively predetermined and varied automatically in accordance with the requirements for the diverse molds and for the products being made;

To feed clay from one or the other of a pair of tubes through a single outlet common to both instead of individual outlets, to a continuously operated out ofi means above the mold indexing table, and to automatically switch from one tube to the other when one becomes empty to thereby maintain a substantially constant flow of clay to the outlet and. eliminate the need for phase changing mechanism customarily employed to maintain the cut off means properly synchronized with the indexing of the mold table, where the feed is switched from one outlet to another;

To form, by pressing and profiling, diverse ware shapes in succession, the spread and thickness of each bat to be selectively predetermined for each shape and the speed of rotation of the jigger tools i v siderable equipment heretofore employed and to one shape to another and save the production time ordinarily lost when making such changeovers as well as the labor cost incurred in making changes.

Another object is to provide for high and low form diversity in ware making machinery of this description so that identical or diverse ware may co and molds thereon from station to'station. At

more eflicientlyand thoroughly discharge excess clay from the jigger chamber by employing the rotating profile to eject the clay thereby eliminating the customary power-driven scraper and operating mechanism therefor.

Ware makingtymachinery constructed in accordance with this invention comprises, broadly,

a rotatable support having revolvalble mold carriers thereon which are revolved on their respective axes as the table rotates to index the carriers the rotatable support and carriers to discharge, 1

cut off and deposit the proper amount of clay required by each mold thereon. At other of the stations, which are individual to and movable with each carrier, are ware fabricating mean including preforming dies and profiling mechanism automatically operable to perform their respective operations when themold. or the associated carrier, is in register therewith. At other stations are means for depositing empty molds on the mold carriers and lifting and carrying away filled molds therefrom in the form of an endless chain conveyor being formed to co-operate with the carriers in this manner and synchronized with the movement of the rotatable support and carriers.

Since th 'preforming and profiling means are individual to each revolvable mold carrier and the machinery includes a plurality of these' carriers, the carriers may be formed to receive different sizes and shapes of molds and the preforming and profiling means may be formed to fabricate different forms of were and are individually adjustable to provide for optimum fabrication technique. Thus insofar as production diversification is concerned, it may be varied in 'direct proportion to the number of revolvable mold carriers employed.

jOther objects and advantageous features will be noted in the following detailed description and drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the preferred form of fabricating machine with certain of the parts broken awayand in section.

Figurez is a. top plan view of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a. plan view of the rotatable mold support of the fabricating machine.

. 1 Figure 4 is a horizontal plan view looking down in the direction 'of arrows l-l of Figure 1, showing the twin machines anddrive therebetween some of the parts being broken away.

Figure 5 is a horizontal plan view taken in. the direction of arrows 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a vertical section on line 6-6 of Figure 1 showing the glands and fluid connections at the base of the vertical drive shaft of the fabricating machine.

magazines are'attached to the feed tubes.

Figure 10 is a piping diagram of the hydraulic system associated with the clay feed tubes.

"Figure 10A is a diagrammatic illustration of a twelve ring timer and valves for system of Figure 10.

Figure 11 is a section view of a cha'ngeqver valve incorporated in the hydraulic system of Figure 10 for switching the feed from one clay tube to another. I

Figure 12 is a detail, partly in section of one of the plunger pumps incorporated in the hydraulic system or Fi e 10.

, Figure 13 is a section view of a pilot valve incorporated in the hydraulic system of Figure 10. Figure 14 is a plan view of the twin feed tubes illustrating how clay may be supplied to each from plural magazines.

Figure 15 is a detail in side elevation of. one of :ordinating drive between. the two are to be obthe feed tubes of Figure 14 showing the twin supply tubes.

Figure 16 is a detail; partly in section of one of the preforming dies and steam connections for heating the same.

Figure 17 is an elevation partly in section of one of the jigger units.

Figure 17A is a vertical section of the jigger tool holder. w

Figure 18 is an elevation partly broken away of the timer and valves for controlling compressed air supplied to the spray guns of the jigger units one of which is illustrated in Figure 17.

Figure l9is a top plan view of the left side of the timer of Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a horizontalsection through one I of the 'eontrol valves of Figure 18. Figure 21 is a. detail, partly in section of the timer drive.

Figure 22 is a detail in elevation, partly in section, of the fluid control valves and cams supplying fluid to the spray guns of the jigger units.

Figure 23 is a horizontal section through one of the valves of'l igure 22.

Figure 24 is a side elevation of the jigger tool spindle drive. 1

' Figure 25 is a. front elevation on a reduced scale of the drive of Figure 24.

Figure 26 isv a. perspective view of the cam disc Figure 30 is an elevation showing the lower end of a jigger unit with a. scrap clay ejector structure attached thereto.

Figure 31 is a horizontal section taken on line til-3| of Figure 30.

Figure 32 is an elevation of the ejector structure of Figure 30, removed from the lower end of the jigger housing.

The ware forming machines hereof are pref erably connected together in pairs and are identical in construction and mode of operation except that the mold table of ,one rotates clockwise and the other counterclockwise. Only the left hand machine A has been fully illustrated but the location of the other machine B and the coserved in Figures 2 and 4.

Eachmachine has a cylindrical housing I, Fi

ure 1 said housings being located in spaced, parallel relation, and inside each is a vertical shaft 2 mounted in a bearing 3, Figure 1 secured to the machine base 4. Mounted on and rotatable with the upper end of shaft 2 is a spider 5 Figures 1 and 3 (sometimes called table), having a plurality of radial arms 6 each provided with a hollow boss 1, Figure 1, at the outer end to rotatably receive a stub shaft 8, Figure 3, on .whose as to accommodate molds of different size, shape and configuration used in making plates, cups and saucers and the like.

Shaft 2 is intermittently rotated bya Geneva. mechanism including a gear l3; Figures 1 and 2, fixed on shaft ,2. Gear I5 is rotated periodical- 1y by a driver It, Figure 4, at one side of gear l5, fixed on shaft 11. Shaft I1 is rotated by gear l3 fixed thereon and gear l3 fixed on hollow shaft sleeved on shaft 2. Shaft 20 is rotated by a worm gear 2| fixed thereon and a worm22 on a horizontal drive shaft 23 common to both I machines A and B.

mounted in housings l and one end of the .drive shaft extends beyond the housing of machine A, .Figure-2, and has a drive pulley 25 mounted thereon to be driven by a belt 23 and suitable prime mover (not shown) Shaft 23, worm 22 and worm gear' 2| rotate continuously while shaft 2 and Geneva gear l5 rotate intermittently when driver It enters one of the slots 21 in gear l5.

Each of the mold carriers I0 is indexed to six circumferentially spaced locations or stations during one complete revolution of the table. These locations are: C and D, Figure 2, outside of the perimeter of the upper table and stationary relative thereo where charges of clay are out off and fed to molds carried by carriers it);

.E inside the perimeter of upper table 35 where the preforming dies 34 carried thereby co-opcrate in successive order with previously charged molds to press the clay against the molding surface of the molds to spread out and afllx the clay thereo; F, inside the perimeter of upper table 35 where the profiling units 33 co-operate in successive order with molds having preformed clay thereon to jigger the same and complete the plastic state formation thereof; G, outside the perimeter of the upper table 35 where filled molds are transferred to a dryer conveyor and H also outside the perimeter of 'table 35 where empty molds are received from the dryer conveyor.

Each mold carrier I0, is caused to make one complete revolution about its axis between stations D and G by the engagement of the intermediate gear 29, Figure 3, rotatably mounted on each arm 6 with the toothed portion ofstationary mutilated gear 30, Figures 1 and 3; fixed on a sleeve 3|, Figure 21, bolted to stationary housing 32 secured to stationary table 33 Figure 2 forming the top of housing I'. Between sta-. tions D and E, the mold forks l2 are turned clockwise inwardly (see arrow) approximately 120 from their radial position at station D to transort themolds to a position below an overhead forming die 34 above each carrier i0 mounted on an intermittent, rotated, circular upper table 35, Figures 1 and 2, keyed to and rotating with shaft 2 to thereby carrythe dies around the axis of shaft 2 and to and through station E with the mold carriers It). At this position, the fork l2 of each carrier is vertically aligned with a mold chuck 38 (which defines the location of the station E therebelow, Figures 1 and 5, supported by a stationary hydraulic lift 31 mounted on plate 33 to be automatically actuated to raise the mold to the die as hereinafter described.

When the mold carriers are moved from station E to station F by the support the mold fork l2 thereof is caused to turn approximately 120 more on its xis to bring the mold and preformed charge of clay into vertical register with a jigger unit 38 above each carrier l0 and also mounted on overhead sup rt 35 and rotatable on the axis of shaft 2 with the carrier l3 and astationary hydraulic lift 33 defining the location of station 1? Figures land 5 mounted on table 33 below and in register with the Jigger and having a mold 5 chuck .43 for receiving the molds carried by car.-

riers III and elevating them to the jigger.

When the mold carrier I3 is moved from station F- to station G it is caused to turn so that the mold fork assumes a radial and outwardly projecting position with respect to the arm 6', Figure 1, on which it is mounted-and, to prevent the carrier from idly rotating from this position between stations G and D in the interrupted portion of gear 30, the carrier is formed with lat- 1 -eral extensions 4|, Figure 3, mounting rollers 42 therebelow spaced on opposite sides of shaft 3 to engage a stationary, semi-circular roller guide 43, Figure 3, extending circumferentialiy around the machine between the stations specifled. Thus, it will'be noted that each moldcarrier III has a traveling, preforming or pressin die and a jigger unit associated therewith and that the mold'lifters at positions E and F are common to all of the mold carriers and station- 25 ary insofar as being rotatable about the axis of shaft 2 is concerned. 1

a At stations G, where filled molds are removed from carriers l0 and at station H where empty molds are placed on said carriers,.and endless 30 chain 44-, Figures 1 and 2 extends around and parallel sprockets 45 and 45' fixed on shafts 46 and 46' journaled in bearings 41 and 41' on supports 41A and 41B mounted on the housings I of machine A and B respectively. Sprocket 45 is rotated by chain drive 410 from shaft 41D which has a gear 48 fixed on one end thereof driven by. a gear 49 fixed on continuously rotating .hollow shaft 20. Sprocket 45' is rotated by chain drive 41E. Shaft 41D drives apparatus of machine B corresponding to that of machine A.

Chain 44 is adapted to transport the ware forming molds through an overhead dryer 5!), Figure 1, in which the air is properly conditioned and circulated to insure drying of the ware within the time interval the ware remains inside the dryer while traversing the circuit After the ware drys and releases from the molds it may be removed from the conveyor by hand or automatically at 50 a convenient location (not shown), the molds being then returned to the forming machines in their respective lines and cleaned of chips or scrap clay and conditioned for refilling en route. The molds are carried in the conveyor in pairs of horizontally disposed ring seats at formed with hanger arms 52 pivotally connected to and on the opposite ends of every other chain pin 53. These seats form in the direction of the length of the conveyor, parallel lines of production in which as many different shapes and sizes of product may be made as there are mold carriers ill on the two machines A and B and in the illustrated example the maximum diversification for the combined machines would amount to twelve or half that amont for each line of production. The ring seats 5| and the molds would therefore be arranged in successive series of six (maximum for the illustrated structure) in each production line or'series of lesser number if desired. Corre- 7 sponding rings and molds would in any event occupy the same relative position in each set in a upwardly in parallel vertical strands from spaced.

ries the rings 5| through the recesses I2 of the I2, successively presented at station mold forks H, Figure 3, the rings being of smaller-diameter than the opening in the mold forks so as to pass therethrough. The molds are seated on the underside of their brims (which is larger in diam eter than the rings'or mold forks) in the rings and are deposited on the forks I2 at station' filled molds and carry them away, the same ring 5| that deposits a given mold-on the forks of a machine, preferably picking up the same mold after it has been filled.

1 Empty molds transferred to carriers It at station H are transported to station C in register with the stationary outlet end of an overhead feed tube 54 Figure 2 and a mold lifter 55 Figure 5 and chuck 55 in which the mold is received, the mold lifter being like that shown in Figure 7. Due to the production diversification possible-and the fact that some molds may require charges of clay of larger diameter or composition than others, I provide another feeding station D where charges may also be fed to the molds. Since both feeding mechanisms are structurally the same only one will be described in detail with the exception of the co-ordinating mechanism that entions type illustrated in Figure 10 individual to each C and D or independent timers -11 of the system. Since thesystem's are identical and op-. erate alike only one of them has been fully illustrated and described, this being shown in Figure 10 equipped with an individual timer 11 it being understood that in actual practice, the

twin rams 88 and 58' of station C, Figure 14, and the twin rams 58 and 58' of station 1), would each be provided with the hydraulic system of Figure 10 and operated either with-a single timer, Figures 5 and 10A, or independent timers, Figure 10. In either event the timer drive is co-ordinated with the rotation of the mold support in order to deliver clay to the cut-off wire at stations C and D intimed relation with the presenables automatic alternationof the feeding of charges between the stations specified. This station also has an overhead feed tube 54' and a chuck 56' and mold lifter 55', Figures '1, 2 and 5.

, With reference to Figure 8, which illustrates part of the feeder at station C, the feed tube 54 is detachably screwed into hollow conduit 51 in order that it may be adjusted vertically and/or replaced with tubes having different inside diameters to thereby vary the diameter of the circular charge to be produced. Conduit 51 is flanged at 58 and projects through an oversize hole 59 in support 50 thereby enabling axial adjustment relative to chuck, 55. Conduit '51 is axially aligned with and connected in leakproof sealed relation to the flanged outer end of the vertical section 5| of a hollow, elbow shaped Y tube 52,

Figures 10 and 15. Each Y portion of the tube has connected thereto in leakproof sealed relation a replaceable magazine 53 of hollow cylindrical construction, flanged at both ends and supported, by cradles 54 and 85, fore and aft,

the front cradles being in the form of a split colswering such specifications and the molds so ar-.

ranged on the machine as to affect the changeover by the time the other clay reaches the outlet of tube 54. v

Each clay feeding station C and D is provided with hydraulicall actuated apparatus,- including twin rams 58 and 58 for forcing clay from the refill magazines through the feed tube 54 at each stationto the cutting wire therebelow. In the actuation and control of the hydraulic system of each station I propose. to employ either a single timer 11', Figure 10A, common to both sta-' is tation of molds at either one or both of said stations.

With relation to Figure lo, the hydraulic system of station 0 or D comprises a vertical series -of six pumps, II, I2, I3, I4, I5 and I5; Figure 10, to be actuated by a timer 11 having cam rollfeed tubes and regulate the volume of clay contained in individual charges. The rings I9 are rotated together and continuously by means of shaft 8|, sprocket 82, Figures 1 and 10, andchain 83, connected to a sprocket 84, fixed on continuously rotating hollow shaft 20. 'The pumps are vertically positioned one over the other although they may, if desired, be spaced circumferentially of the timer.

The timer makes one complete revolution in the same interval of time'.required for the intermittently rotating spider 5 to make one complete revolution.

Each pump comprises a piston chamber 85, Figure 12, having a piston therein and return spring 81. The piston rod 88 is hollow and l threaded to receive a screw 89 which may be screwed outwardly until the head 89' is engaged by one of the cam rollers I8 and then adjusted to regulate the stroke or screwed entirely in to render the pump imperative. The inletsof all pumps in a set are connected by branch lines 95,

each having a check valve 9| therein, to a main header 92 leading to a tank 93 containing hydraulic fluid. The outlets "of all pumps in a set are connected by branch lines 94, each having a check valve 95 therein, to a main header 98 leading to port 91 of a valve 98, Figures 10 and 11, operable to automatically discontinue the clay pumping action of one ram, for instance 58' Figure 14, when the magazine with which it is associated is emptied of clay and start the other ram 88. This is accomplished .in the following manner.

The pressure fluid pumped into header 95, Figure 10, by each individual pump forces fluid in the line through port 91 of valve 98 and thence through open port 99 between movable discs I08 and I09 into pipe I00 leading to the piston cylinder of ram 89. As piston II advances in cylinder 88, fluid is forced out of said chamber through line IIlI and open port I I0 into the valve piston II and the increase in fluid pressure in line I thereupon acts to increase the fluid pressure in line I02 leading to adjustable pilot valve I03, Figure 13, and opensvalve I03 by'detension thereby opening outlet line I00 leading to piston chamber I06, Figure 1 1, in the 'left end. of the housing of valve 98. Fluid in the lower part of valve I03 that is displacedby piston I04, enters line m leading to tank as Figure 10.-

Pressure fluid entering chamber I06, Figure 11;

disc I08 flxed thereon to move to the right of port 99 and disc I09 to move to the right of port IIO thereby establishing communication between line' II3 leading to the piston cylinderof ram 68 and port 91 connected to pump line 96.

As piston I I advances in cylinder I0, fluid is forced out of the chamber through line I22 and port I2I 'into the chamber between disc I26 and the end wall I25 of valve 98 and then into passage I26 and port IZS into return line I21. When piston II' reaches its limit of forward. movement the increased pressure in line 3- opens pilot valve II4 (having the same construccylinder as swing gatein to the position shown in dotted lines closing of! the right branch of the Y. Line II'I- is vented to atmosphere through port I31 in said valve I36-.- When changing pressing piston I04 against adjustable spring 5 from ram 03' to ram 60, the-increase in pressure in line II2 isefl'ective through line I42 to reverse incompressible clay to be extruded past the cut- .ting off point. For instance, pump II may be set to deliver an 8 oz. charge throughthe outlet while pump 12 may be set to deliver a 12 oz.-

tion as pilot valve I03, Figure 13) permitting fluid under pressure in line Hi to flow into piston chamber II6, Figure 11, and shift piston 'rod I0l to the left to again connect line I00 to pressure pumps I I--'I6 and start ram 68.

To retract ram head 69' from its magazine 63 when the feed is switched to ram 68 a motor driven pump I", Figure 10, forces fluid from tank II8 into line I I9 leading to port I20 in valve 98 and thence through port I2I into .line I22 leading to cylinder 68 I. This forces piston II' to the opposite end of cylinder 10, the fluidon the opposite side thereof being forced through line H3 and port IIO into valve 98 and then through passage I23 and port I23 into line I24 which discharges into. tank 93. When the feed is changed from ram 68 to ram 68I the movement of piston rod I01 to the right, Figure 11, shifts disc I08 to the right of port 99 permitting back charge and so on or all may be set to deliver charges of equal weight depending on the production.

Where it is desired to employ only one timer to control the feed at stations C and D, a timer 11, Figure 10A, having twelve rings but otherwise identical with the timer 11, may be employed.

In this event the pumps 'II to "inclusive of the hydraulic system associated with station 0 would be located above and in vertical alignment with a lower set of pumps II' to I6 inclusive associated with the hydraulic system for the rams of station D which, as explained before, is identical with that shown in Figure 10.

' Thus with either a dual or single timer arrangement many variations in the feeding of charges of clay to molds at either one or both stations is possible. For instance, all the charges to be fed a given group of molds may be applied at either station C or station D if it is desired flow of fluid through line I00, port 99, passage if a single 12 ring timer is being employed,

I23", port I23 and return line I24 to tank 93. When piston II' or I I, either one, reaches the limit of its rearward stroke the increase in pressure in the line I I9 opens relief valve I30 and six of the cam rollers may simply be removed from their pins to render six pumps inoperative. In making laminated ware, that is to say ware having two thicknesses of material ofldifferent,

by-passes fluid from the pump into tank H8. color, composition or coeflicient of expansion,

through line I3I It is desired to close oil the idle branch of the Y 62 to preclude back extrusion of material therethrough when clay is flowing through the other branch and for this purpose, a pivoted gate I32 is located interiorly of the conduit at the junction of the branches of the Y and is automatically operated from the exterior in the following manner. I An arm I33, Figure 14, is attached to the pivot shaft of gate I32 and is pivotally connected to the piston rod I32 of pivotally mounted air cylinder I35. Flexible fluid lines I36 and I 31 leading from opposite ends of the cylinder are connected to a valve I36 which is identical with valve 98 except that it has a single chamber as would be represented by the structure on the right side of the dividing partition I38 Figure 11. Thus when changing from ram 68 to ram 10, the'increase in pressure in line I05 also increases the pressure in line I39, see Figures 10 and 14, to thereby move piston rod III'I from right to left thereby permitting air under pressure to flow from tank I40 through line I, valve I38, and the line I36 into cylinder I35 to move the piston toward the opposite end of the one'charge may be fed at station C and another charge deposited on top thereof at station D. The thickness and diameter of either charge may be the same or'difierent depending on the requirements and these specifications of charges to be applied to successive molds of a group could be varied.

Inlaid ware can be produced by,utilizing the feeder at station 0 to apply the desired design to the molding surface first and the feeder at station D to apply the body of the ware over the design which may be of clay having a contrasting color. The feeder at C can easily be converted to produce individual decorative designs of clay by screwing an adapter into the end of the nozzle which .has properly formed extrusion holes therethrough to give the extrusion the proper cross sectional shape.

Successive molds in a group may also be fed single charges in succession. This would be accomplished by adjusting the timer to impart two feeding impulses simultaneously, one-at each station, and then be-idle for the next two movements of the mold support in order to remove the filled molds from thefeeding portions and move two empty molds into position for receiving charges of clay. Thus the charges fed to successive molds may vary in diameter; thickness, weight, volume, color-and composition.

1 If desired, the Y 82 may be replaced at both stations C and D by an elbow 51', Figure 9. In

this event one of the magazines 83, Figure 10, would be installed at station Cqand the other at station D. Thus the hydraulic system of Figure 10 would operate to control the feed between two feeding stations rather than between two rams serving a single station. With this arrangement, molds are fed with clay at station until the magazine 53 thereat is emptied of clay, and then the clay feed is automatically switched to station D.

= The clay issuing from tubes 54 at stations C and D is .cut oil and deposited on the molds by the following apparatus: surrounding each nozzle 54 is a ring gear I45, Figure 8, whose axis is cocentric to that of the nozzle. The inside periphery of each ring I45 has a groove I45 in which three angularly spaced rollers I41, Figure 2, are

received. These rollers are carried by a spider 8- having a hub I49 sleeved on the tube and secured thereto by set screw I49 to thereby support the ring I45 for rotation about an axis that is eccentric to the vertical axis of the tube 51 at v station C or D.

To rotate'rings I45, each is provided with an externally toothed surface I53 which meshes with a gear I54 between the two fixed on a vertical drive shaft I55, Figures 1, 2 and 8, journaled at the upper end in a bearing I55 in a supporting frame I51, Figure 8, having attaching collars I58 at the extremities to be sleeved on the. feed rier I8. Each die is suspended below .table by amounting stud I58, Figure 16 joumaled in a hole in table 35 and screw threaded into a gear 1 I18 meshing with a gear "I above the table to be turned by a hand crank I12 for vertically adjusting the die'by hand. ;'1'-he gears are mounted in a covered housing I13 on top of table 35. Each die 34 is detachably mounted on the stud,the connection preferably enabling quick separation in order that replacement dies may be quickly substituted. g p

To render the ware engaging surfaces I14 of the dies non-adhesive to clay, each is formed with a chamber I15, Figure 16 to be heated by steam conducted thereto by flexible conduits I15 radiating from a central passage I11 in rotatable shaft 2. Line I11 may be connected by a leakproof gland I18 Figures 2 and 16, to a stationary header I19 from the boiler (not shown). Conduit I80 connected to the outlet of each die chamber is arranged to conduct the condensate to a point of discharge or, to the jigger with which the die is associated to lubricate the ware during profiling as will be hereinafter explained.

The radial'position of the dies 34 relative to'the vertical axis of shaft 2 coincides with that of the mold lifter andchuck at station E in order that the dies shall register therewith in'succossion incident to intermittent rotation of table 35.

After the clay has been spread over the molding to the fork I2 by mold lifter 31, the table automatically revolves one sixth of a turn whilst the carrier I8 supporting the mold in its fork I2 is tubes 51 at C and D. The lower end of shaft I55,

Figures 1 and 2, is journaled in a bearing I59 outside the main housing I and is provided with a sprocket I58 driven by chain I6I which enters.

pending from one of the spider arms of each spider in such position that pins I81 are located :on the axis of rotation of each gear I45. Thus, as each ring is rotated, each cutting wire is caused to pass below the nozzle 54 with which it is associated once for every complete revolution of the ring gear to which it is attached to thereby sever a charge of clay from the extrusion and deposit said charge on a mold therebelow.

The cutting wires operate continuously regardless of whether the tube. is idle or not and they are-synchronizedwith the indexing of molds at the feeding positions and are geared so as to make six complete revolutions to one complete revolution of the upper table 35 and to start the cutjting operation incident to the movement of a jmold into register with the nozzle 54 at the feeding position or positions.

To spread the clay over the molding surface of the molds, and adhesively bond the same thereito, the machine is provided with six angularly spaced dies 34, Figures 1, 2 and i6 that are attached to and carried by upper table 35, one associated with and located above each mold carrevolved to a position where the mold fork I2 and mold are in vertical registration with a jiggering apparatus thereabove and a mold lifter 35 therebelow at location F.

The jiggering apparatus may include a single profile I 8|, Figures 17 and 17A detachably bolted to a holder I82 formed with a sleeve I83 screwed on a hollow, rotatable spindle I84 or may have diametrically opposed, balanced blades if desired.

On opposite sides of sleeve- I83 are spray guns I85 and I85 adjustably received in holders I85 that are bolted to radial projections I81 of sleeve I83 and are angularly adjustable.

The entire structure which revolves including the spindle, spray guns, profiles, profile holders. drive pulley etc. is dynamically and statically balanced so as to dampen torsional vibration and insure true running of thetools. Said tools I8I may have different jiggering characteristics, for

instance one blade may be for rough cutting and the other for finishing or polishing or both may have the same jiggering characteristics.

matic valve in the water. line to be opened when compressed air is turned on to atomize the water.

Water enters the hollow spindle I84 at the top through stationary pipe I98 and leakproof gland I 9|, Figure 17, and flows through radial passages I92 in the spindle into the hollow center I93.

thereof and then-into vertical pipe I94 and downwardly to the lower end into passage I95 leading to both guns having pipe connections I98 screwed in the open ends and flexible hoses I91 attached thereto and to the inlet of the spray guns.

The water supply pipes I98 of each jigger unit are all connected to a common header 2III on 7 top of upper table 35, Figure 2. The header is supplied with water by pipe 282 which extends downwardly through a hole in the upper table and asraaoo 7 is connected to a gland 203, Figure 1,-su rrounding and rotatable relative to rotatable shaft 2, said shaft having a hollow centerin which is cated a water pipe'264, Figure 6, communicating with the gland and projecting through a pipe plug 284'- in the lower end of the shaft where it is connected to a gland 205, Figures 1 and '6, whose inlet is connected to a water main 286.

To supply air under pressure to the several jigger units, a motor driven compressor 268, mounted on the base of the machine is provided. The discharge pipe 209 is connected to a pressure equalizing tank 208; and the tank'outlet is connected to a gland 2 on shaft 2, by a. pipe 2"], Figures 1. 4 and 6 said shaft having radial holes 2 I 2 to admit air to the hollow interior 2 I3 thereof.

Below gland 283, Figure 1, is mounted another gland 2I4 through which air from the hollow interior of shaft 2 is admitted to pipe 2l5 and conducted upwardly thereby to a bank of vertically disposed air control valves 2I6 to 22I inclusive, Figures 1, 2 and 18, one for each jigger unitmounted on a standard 222 secured to and rotatable with upper table 35, there being branch pipes 223 Figures 18 and 20 from line 2I5 to the inlet port 224, Figure 20, of each valve. The outlet port 225 of each of the valves 2I6 to 22I inelusive is connected to a gland 226, Figure 1'7 on the hollow jigger spindles I84 by pipes 221, 228,

229, 238, 23I and 232 respectively, Figures 2 and 18.

Radial passages 233, Figure 1'1, admit air to the hollow interior of jigger spindles I84 which flows through a radial passage 234 Figure 17A near the lower end of the spindle into a vertical passage 235 in sleeve I83 and into duct 236 common to both spray guns I85 and I85. Flexible conduits 231, Figure 1'7, attached to pipe connections 238 screwed into the ends of duct 236 connect the duct with the air inlet of the spray guns. The profusion of the spray is controlled by a needle valve which i manually regulated by control 239.

Valves 2I6 to 22I are operated by a rotatable timer 246, Figures 1, 2 and 18, mounted on and rotatable with upper table 35. The timer is conventional in design and has a vertically disposed series 'of nested, concentric cam rin'gs 24I, rotatactuated will shut off promptly and thus prevent dribbling of water at the termination of the spraying operation onto the surface of the freshly formed ware.

Two adjacent cam rings 2 and 2H and their respective rollers 241 are required to open and close each valve and to open a valve, the roller of the upper ring of a pair (see top ring Figure 18) engages cam 249 whose roller engaging sur-' face is arcuate in shape Figure 19, the tip end of which projects into the circumferential path of travel of the roller to be actuated thereby. The lower cam 250 of each valve has a roller engaging surface 266 disposed at such an angle that when moved into the path of travel of its operating roller on the next ring 24I' and then engaged by the roller it will reverse the rotation of shaft 25I and consequently reverse the movement of slide 253 and close'the valve.

The timer is rotated continuously by a verticaldrive shaft 242, Figures 1 and 18 which extends downwardly through a bearing mounted.

on table 35 and has a gear 251, Figures 1 and 21,

fixed on the lowerend engaging a ring gear 258 mounted on rollers 259 journaled in brackets 259' attached to housing 32. Said ring gear is internally toothed as at 251' and is revolved by a gear 266 fixed on shaft 26I having a gear 262 on the other-end meshing with gear 263 keyed on continuously rotating shaft 28. Thus as table 35 rotates. the timer revolves-therewith around the axis of shaft 2 and is continuously rotated on the axis of shaft 242 so as to open and close the air control valves of each jiggering unit upon arrival thereof at the jiggering position F.

To rotate the jigger tool spindle I84 of each jigger, said jigger spindle has a. pulley 264, Figure 1'1 secured thereto, to be engaged and revolved by a drive belt 266, Figures 2, 24, and 25 stretched between pulleys 261, 268 and 269 on vertical shafts 216, 21I and 212 respectively mounted on a. platable in unison by shaft 242fb'utindividually angularly adjustable relative to one another by gears 243 on shafts 244 which are turned manually by knobs 245 to effect the adjustment. These gears engage the toothed inner periphery 246 of the rings and when turned, angularly position removable valve cam actuating rollers 241,-;Figures 18 and 19, mounted on projections 248 extending from the outer periphery of the rings whose setting determines the time during one complete revolution ;of the timer when th'evalves 2I6 to 22I' inclusive will be turned on or off and consequently the time of initiation, duration and termination of the jigger spray.

Each valve 2I6 to 22I inclusive has two control cams 249 and 250, Figure 18, the'upper cam for rotating shaft 25I, Figure 20 in a clockwise direction to cause member 252 thereonto shift slide valveof shaft 2 and said pulleys engage the belt as they v approach the jiggering position F, Figure 2.

Fixed on shaft 212 above pulley 269 is a pulley 215 driven by a belt 216 received between the tapered belt receiving surfaces of an upper disc 211 and the floating center disc 218 of a variable speed pulley fixed on a shaft 219 journaled in an overhead bearing 288 Figure 2, at the outer end of an angularly movable support 29I Figures 2, 24

and 25 pivotally mounted on a shaft 282 secured to platform 213. A drive belt 283 connected to a pulley 284 on motor shaft 285, of electric motor 286 is received between the lower disc 281 and the central floating disc 218 of the variable 'speed pulley. By angularly moving support 28I the relative speed of travel of belt 216 may be automatically changed due to the change in radius of curvature of belts 216 and 283 around the variable pulley.

Since the speed of rotation of the jigger spindle I84 and hence the speed of rotation of the jigger tool, is not the same for all types, sizes and classes of ware and is subject to variation, .I propose to automatically regulateth speed of rotation of each new spindle to that best suited to the work and in this connection, have provided a cam disc 294', Figures 24, 25, and 26 mounted on a shaft 285' with a plurality of radially disposed cams 299, one for'each jigger unit, Figure 26 having cross slots 291 for radial and circumferential adjustment on attaching belts 289. The radial position of the cams determinesthe amount of variation in speed of the digger spindles and the airtension of aspring 292 mounted in a holder 293 bolted to the platform 213. This causes the speed of travel of the jigger spindle drive belt 268 to change automatically as pulleys 284 approach the iissering position and engage belt 299. 1 Cam disc 294' is rotated by shaft 295' which is driven continuously and caused to make one com-- plete revolution in the time required for the upper table to make one complete revolution by a gear 294 fixed thereon, Figure l driven by a gear 295 on shaft 299 which is driven by continuously rotating shaft 41D by gears 29'! and 298.,

Figure 2.

. If it is desired to vary the speed of rotation of any one of the jigger chuck spindles during the jiggering operation, the curvature of the cam suriace may be developed to provide the desired change, for instance by one or more reverse curv'es 299, Figure 27, or the radius of curvature may be increased toward the trailing end of the surface as at 399 to provide for increasing the speed of rotation of the jigger tool beyond that necessary for jiggering Just prior to completion of the jiggering operation and for a short period 1 Attached to the lower end of the housing is a replaceable casing 399 which'co-operates with the jigger tool in directing the scrap clay produced during 'Jiggering into a stationary chute 394. Said casing, Figure 1'7 comprises a sleeve portion 38! which fits .over theoutside of housing 392 and is attached thereto by several bayonet slot 392 and pin 383 connections. made larger in order to allow the casing to be raised up by engagement of the perimeter of the mold therewith in that circular flange portion 159D of the bottom 01." the casing adjacent the circular sleeve 384 which projects upwardly inside housing 392 and surrounds tool Hi, there being a minimum of clearance between the tool and the inside wall of sleeve 394; 395 is a side outlet nozzle from sleeve 394, Figure 32, which projects tangentially from the casing through the interrupted portion of sleeve 38| and an aperture 399, i

The slot is purposely,

in the bottom housing 392 facing chute 394. The nozzle is preferably short and extends only a short distance beyond the perimeter of table 95. The radius of the nozzle tip co-incides with that of the perimeter of the table and the inlet .393 of the chute which is curved. While the major portion of the scrap clay is discharged at the jiggering position, the tool may rotate until pulley 284 disengages belt 298; see Figure 2, and thus the purpose of extending the chute beyond the point where the driving association is interrupted is to catch any stray bits of clay which may cling to the tool and not release until the tool starts to move away from the jiggering position. The speed of rotation of the tool may be increased near the end of the jiggering operation to make certain that all scrap clay clinging to the tool will be thrown off before it reaches the end of the chute. Otherwise the clay dries out on the tool and forms a scale which detrimentally affects the surface of the ware should it fall thereonto.

The floor of the nozzle 395 and the inlet 393 may slope, the angle of inclination co-inciding so as to readily gravitate scrap into the vertical portion of the chute which falls through the outlet 395, Figure 2, onto the surface of an endless ofibearing belt 396 supported by roller 389 on a a shaft journaled in bearings 399 below the outlet.

The belt may discharge directly into a blunger (not shown) where the clay is mixed with water preparatory to reprocessing or it may discharge into'a receptacle for conveying clay to the blunger or into the hopper of the pug mill for supplying the machine withclay. The chute is secured at the upper end to the underside of plat- 7 form 213 and is supported on the extension 214A of table 33, Figure 5.

In the foregoing construction, the jigger tool l8! functions as the impeller of a centrifugal fan or pump to cause the discharge of scrap clay through the tangentially disposed nozzle. The mold substantially seals the bottom hole of sleeve 394 when it comes up against the housing and lifts it up oftpins 383. This prevents scrap clay from falling down through the normally open end of the'sleeveand due to the which operate in troughs surroundingthe tool and push the clay over a hole in the floor of the trough, screw conveyors and other conventional equipment used to remove the scrap fromthe immediate vicinity of the tool.

When changing the jiggertool'set up from larger to smaller diameter ware or vice versa, casing 399 may be removedand replaced by one having a sleeve 394 of proper diameter to operate as described with the replacement profile. The provision of a bayonet slot connection with by opening valve 3I3, the amount of liquid discharged being controlled by throttle valve 3. The plunger 3i5 of valve 3l3 is lifted to a position where the passage 3" therein registers with the inlet and outlet of the valve by an ad- Justable screw 3" in bracket 3l3 projecting from chuck 46. The screw is adjusted so as to open valve 3l3 as the digger chuck approaches final elevation just before the iiggering operation commences.

The measured quantit of condensate remaining in the steam trap i discharged through pipe I39 connected to an adjustable nozzle 320 mount-.- ed on and projecting through the side of jigger housing 362, Fig. 28, when valve 32l, Fig. 29 is opened by adjustable screw 322 upon final elevation of the .iig er chuck 40 which also causes valve 3l3 to close. The action of valve 32l is delayed until the excess condensate in the steam trap is discharged. 323 is a throttle valve in line 3l8 for control purposes.

In order to raise and lower the jigger tool IBI of the various jigger units, in making adjustments in the thickness of the ware, the hollow jigger spindle, Fig. 1'1, rotates in a sleeve 324 having a gear 325 screwed thereon disposed in a gear case 326 mounted on top of housing 362. Gear 325 is rotated to either raise or lower the profile tool by a hand crank 321 above the gear case which is fixed on shaft 328 having a gear 329 thereon meshing with gear 325.

The molds are raised and lowered at the feeding stations C and D, the preforming position E and jigger position F, from their respective carriers into operative adjacency to the feeder, die and jigger respectively by fluid actuated mold lifter that are identical in construction. Each comprises a hollow cylindrical housing 335, Fig. 7, closed at the upper end on which a chuck, for example the jigger chuck 40 is disposed. Said housing is sleeved over a shaft 33i having a vertical passage 33I' through the center through which oil or other hydraulic fiuid is conducted to the expansion chamber 332 from pipe 333 threaded into the bottom of the passage.

The hydraulic system for operating the four chucks comprises a pump 334, Figs. 1 and 4 driven by belt 335 and motor 393 to draw fluid from tank- 336 and forces the same into pipe 331 which is connected by branch pipes Fig. 22 to each of valves 342, 343, 344 and 345, Fig. 22; Valve 342 is connected by pipe 346 to mold lifter 55, also see Fig. 5, mounted on an extension 366 of table 33 below feediing position C; valve 343 is connected by pipe 348 to mold lifter 55' mounted on an extension 361 of table 33 below the feeding position D; valve 344 is connected by pipe 350 to mold lifter 31 at preforming position E and valve 345 is connected by pipe 35l to mold lifter 39 at the jiggering position F. The valves are mounted on a vertical housing 32 bolted to stationary table 33. Each valve comprises a housing having an inlet port 360, Fig. 23, connected to the main fluid line 331. Inside the housing is a slide valve 36! with longitudinal passage 362 therein. When the slide valve is moved to the left by piston rod 363 and cam 364 on shaft 20, Fig. 22 against the tension of spring 365, Fig. 23, communication is established between inlet 360 and outlet 366 connected to a line, for instance pipe 346, Fig. 22 leading to mold lifter 55 to thereby raise said lifter, outlet port 361 which is connected to one of the branches 368 leading to a return line 369 discharging into tank 335, being temporarily closed by the slide valve. When aaraa the slide valve returns to the position shown in Fig. 23, communication is established between the port 363 and outlet port 331 and the weight of the piston chamber housing of the hydraulic lift.

forces the fluid back into tank 333 permitting the 'chuck to lower by gravity and depositing the mold supported thereby in a transfer fork. A by pass 313 having a pressure release valve 314 therein is provided between the main fluid line 331 and return line 363, to relieve abnormal increases in pressure in the line.

Said mold lifters may raise and lower simultaneously or at different times depending on the development of the cam. surface of cams 334. They are all raised and lowered however within the interval the upper table 35 is at rest.

.330 in position to engage a. screw 312 depending from the underside of each gear 9, Fig. 1. Either the screw, ring or both may be adjusted to predetermine the level to which the chuck will rise.

I claim:

l. The combination with a movable support having relatively movable mold carrying means thereon formed to receive molds of difi'erent sizes representing a diverse production of actuating means for moving said mold carrying means on said support and said support to index said mold carrying means from station to station, means for feeding clay charges varying in size and weight to the molds at some of said stations and means arranged to fabricate on the molds at other of the stations a, diverse production from the charges of clay disposed on the molds.

2. The combination with a movable support having relatively movable mold carrying means mounted thereon of actuating means for moving said mold carrying means on said support and said support to index said mold carrying means from station to station, means for feeding clay to molds at one station, means arranged to fabricate ware on the molds at another station and means for removing filled molds from and placing empty molds on said mold carrying means at other stations.

3. The combination with a movable support having relatively movable mold carrying means said mold carrying means on said support and said support to index said mold carrying means from station to station, means for feeding clay to said molds at some of the stations, and means arranged to fabricate ware on the molds at other of the stations.

4. The combination with a movable support having relatively movable mold carrying means mounted thereon of actuating means for moving said mold carrying means on said support and said support to index said mold carrying means from station to station, means arranged to fabricate ware at some of the stations and means for transferring molds at other of the stations.

5. The combination with a movable support having relatively movable mold carrying means mounted thereon of actuating means for moving said mold carrying means on said support and said support to index said mold carrying means from station to station, means for feeding clay to the molds at some of said stations and means 'for transferring molds at other of said stations.

6. The combination with an angularly movable support having an angularly movable'mold carrying means thereon of actuating means for angularly moving said mold carrying means on said support and said support to index said mold carrying means from station to station, means for feeding clay to molds at one station, means arranged to fabricate ware on the molds at another station and mold transferring apparatus at other of the stations. 7

7. The combinationwith an angularly movable support having an angularly movable mold carrier thereon of actuating means for angularly moving said mold carrying means and said support to index said mold carrying means from station to station, means for feeding clay to said fabricate ware on the molds at other of the stations.

9. The combination with a rotatable support having a relatively and angularly movable mold carrier thereon of means for angularly moving said carrier on its axis and rotating the support to index the carrier from station to station and means for feeding clay to molds at some of said on the molds at other of the stations.

3 10. The combination with a. rotatable support having a relatively and angularly movable mold carrier thereon of means for angularly moving said carrier on its axis and. means for rotating the support to index the carrier from station to station, 'means for feeding clay to molds at some of said stations, and means arranged to fabricate ware on the molds at other of the stations.

stations, and means arranged to fabricate ware.

means above each carrier rotatable with said support, jiggering means above each carrier rotatable with said support, stationary clay feeding means adjacent said support, means for intermittently rotating said support and means for revolving said carriers incident to rotation of said support to index the seats with said feeding, preforming and jiggering means.

16. The combination with a rotatable support having a plurality of revolvable carriers provided with seats for receiving molds, of a wareforming die above each carrier rotatable with a said support, jiggering means above each carrier rotatable with said support, clay feeding means adjacent said support, and means for revolving said carriers during the rotation of said support to index the seats with said feeder, die and jiggering means.

17. The combination with a rotatable support having a plurality of revolvable carriers provided with seats for receiving molds of a preforming means above each carrier rotatable with said support, clay feeding means adjacent said support, and'means for revolving said carriers during the rotation ofsaid support to index the seats with preforming and feeding means.

18. The combination with a rotatable support having a plurality of revlovable carriers provided with seats for receiving molds of a jiggering means above each carrier mounted to rotate with said support, clay feeding means adjacent said support, and means for revolving said carriers during the rotation of said support to index the seats with jiggering and feeding means.

19. The combination with arotatable support having a plurality of revolvablecarriers provided with mold seats of a preforming means above each carrier mounted to rotate with said support, mold transferring means, and means for revolvm ing said carriers as they rotate with the support 11. The combination with a rotatable support having a relatively and angularly movable mold carrier thereon of means for angularly moving said carrier thereon and moving said support to index the carrier from station to station, and means arranged to fabricate ware on the molds at one or more of the stations.

1 12. The combination with a rotatable support having a relatively and angularly movable mold carrier thereon of means for angularly moving said carrier on said support and means for moving said support to index the carrier from station to station, and means arranged to jigger clay on the molds at one of the stations.

l 13. The combination with a rotatable support Q having a relatively and angularly movable mold carrier thereon of means for angularly moving the carrier on the support and means for moving the support to index the carrier from station to station, and means at some of said stations for transferring molds. v v

14. The combination with a rotatable support having a plurality of revolvable carriers provided with seats for receiving molds, of a preforming means above each carrier rotatable with said support, jiggering means above each carrier rotatable with said support, stationary clay feeding to thereby index the seats withpreforming and mold transferring means.

20. The combination with a rotatable support having a plurality of revolvable carriers provided with mold seats ofa. preforming means above each carrier rotatable with said, support, mold transferring means, clay feeding means and forming, clay feeding and mold transferring means.

21. The combination with a rotatable support having a plurality of revolvable carriers provided with mold seats of a. jiggering means above each carrier rotatable with said support, mold transferring means and means for revolving said carriers during rotation of said support to index the seats with the jiggering and mold transferring means.

22. The combination with a movable support having a relatively movable mold carrier mounted thereon of actuating means for moving the carrier on the support and the support to index the carrier from station to station, means arranged to fabricate potteryware at some of the stations and mold lifters below said carrier at said fabricating stations for moving molds into cooperative relation with said fabricating means.

23. The combination with a. movable support having a relatively movable mold carrier mounted thereon, of actuating means for moving the carrier on the support and the support to index the mold carrier from stationto station, means for feeding clay to molds at one of said stations in eluding means for progressing and means for cut 

